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How the health care system works

The face of healthcare in Hungary has changed a lot over the past decade. The former Ministry of Health and its successor, the Ministry of Human Resources, have been dissolved. Healthcare is now under the centralized control of the Ministry of Interior (叠别濒眉驳测尘颈苍颈蝉锄迟茅谤颈耻尘), which also manages police and local government. What this practically means is that not enough time and funds are being directed towards healthcare, which only takes up to 7-7.5% of the country's GDP. As a result, employers are paying a 'social contribution tax' of 13%, and the government decides how much of that is funnelled towards healthcare. Employees though, are still paying a health insurance contribution (about 3% of gross salary), and they have to provide proof of that when they're visiting a doctor by showing their social security card.

Overall, the healthcare services in Hungary are currently funded by the National Health Insurance Fund, NEAK in Hungarian. NEAK provides benefits in cash (like sickness benefits, child care allowance and drug reimbursement) and kind (like preventive examinations, primary and specialised care, and some dental care) to those who are insured. Dental coverage under NEAK is limited; it generally covers emergency treatments, screenings, and full care for children or pregnant women, but most expats and locals opt for private dentistry for higher-quality materials and shorter wait times.

Public healthcare in Hungary

One thing you need to take into consideration is the state of Hungarian hospitals and healthcare facilities in the public sector. There has been a significant attempt to modernise hospitals all over Hungary within the last decade, but surprisingly, the capital city of Budapest is the one that has the least modern facilities. In fact, some of the hospitals in Budapest were built in the early 20th century, so they are not meeting modern conditions, which causes a strain on resources. In contrast, many university towns like 笔茅肠蝉, Debrecen, and Szeged often boast better-equipped medical centers.

The government-run Eg茅szs茅gAblak app has become the central hub for patients in Hungary, allowing you to book appointments, view referrals, and access your digital health records from the National eHealth Infrastructure (EESZT). Though the digital side of things is impressively up to date, the wait times and quality of the actual hospitals and the care offered leaves a lot to be desired, especially in terms of non-emergency procedures. Hospital management is now strictly centralized under the National Directorate General for Hospitals to better allocate scarce resources across the country.

Another issue is the doctors' wages not being high enough, therefore not providing enough incentive for young doctors to stay in Hungary. With the existing staff ending up being overworked, there are big delays in public healthcare services, which in turn is causing up to 65% of the people choose private solutions instead.

Private healthcare in Hungary

This sector has expanded massively to fill the gaps left by the public system, with a vast network of clinics now available in Budapest and major university cities like Debrecen and Szeged. You will find a wide array of providers ranging from small solo practices to large, multi-specialty private hospitals. The government has recently established a new coordination body to strictly monitor quality standards across these private institutions. Standard specialist consultations typically cost 30,000-50,000 HUF, while comprehensive diagnostic packages can run much higher. Availability won't be an issue as you can afford the services.

Finding a doctor in Hungary

Finding a doctor usually starts with your district-assigned GP. You must register with one, and you are guaranteed to be taken on by whoever is responsible for your specific address. Though you have the legal option to request a different GP, capacity issues mean that they will rarely accept you in practice. GPs are the gatekeepers for referrals to public specialists, so you must engage with them if you want to take advantage of the public healthcare system in Hungary. If you prefer to avoid the public referral system, you can access private clinics directly, which offer English-speaking staff and faster appointments.

Treating chronic illnesses in the public system is fully covered, but the shortage of specialists can lead to incredibly long waiting lists for non-emergency surgeries or diagnostics.

Medication and pharmacies in Hungary

Hungarian pharmacies are easy to access and boast an impressive digital infrastructure. Doctors issue prescriptions directly to the cloud, so you only need to present an ID to collect your medication. While over-the-counter drugs are sold at market price in pharmacies, prescription medication is often subsidised by NEAK if you are insured, though you will still pay a small co-payment.

To find designated on-duty pharmacies in case of health needs outside normal opening hours, you can also use the aforementioned Eg茅szs茅gAblak app.

Are you entitled to healthcare in Hungary?

First aid and emergency care are free for everyone, and everyone is entitled to it, regardless of your nationality or the duration of stay in Hungary. For all other healthcare services, the process varies depending on if you're an EU/EFTA citizen or not.

If you're an EU/EFTA citizen, you can use your European Health Insurance Card in Hungary, which gives you access to free/subsidised treatment in the same terms as Hungarian citizens. You are also entitled to ambulance treatment.

If you're a third-country national and require any other type of healthcare besides first aid/emergency, you will have to pay for the treatment or buy private health insurance. When choosing private insurance, look for 'comprehensive' packages (such as those from Generali or Union) that include outpatient care, diagnostics, and 24/7 English-language assistance. Once you get your residence permit and start working or studying in Hungary, you are also covered by the public healthcare system like Hungarians.

You should be keenly aware of the limitations related to public healthcare in Hungary. Response times for public ambulances in non-life-threatening cases can sometimes exceed 15 minutes, or even an hour in rural areas. If the patient is stable and you have a car, driving them to the ER yourself is often faster. Be aware that public hospital conditions can be spartan; it is standard practice for family members to bring basic amenities for the patient, including toilet paper, soap, cutlery, and bottled water. Read more about accidents and emergencies in Hungary here, and about pregnancy in Hungary here.

Good to know:

If you're a UK citizen, it is worth checking your options with your embassy or consulate. Hungary and the UK have signed a reciprocal health agreement in the past, which means that (if not affected by Brexit) you are entitled to receive free healthcare in Hungary as you would back home.